Media reports Netanyahu presenting Trump with ‘Hezbollah pager’

(MENAFN) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented US President Donald trump with a gold-plated pager during their meeting at the White House on Tuesday, as reported by Israeli media. The gift, accompanied by a standard pager, seems to reference Israel’s covert operation against Hezbollah. Trump reportedly praised the Israeli operation as a “tremendous” success in response to the gesture. In return, Trump gave Netanyahu a signed photo of their meeting, calling him "a great leader."

The pager gift is likely linked to a sabotage operation where thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria in September. The attacks resulted in 42 deaths and thousands of injuries. The operation was attributed to Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, seen as a preemptive strike against Hezbollah. This led to increased Israeli military action in Lebanon and the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Netanyahu confirmed in November that Israeli intelligence was behind the sabotage, and he had personally approved the operation. The meeting in Washington marked Netanyahu's first visit since Trump returned to office. According to a diplomatic source, the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump has never been closer.

In a joint press conference after their meeting, Trump outlined plans for the US to take control of Gaza and resettle its residents, which Netanyahu supported. The proposal has faced global backlash, including from countries such as Germany, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, with human rights groups condemning it as ethnic cleansing. The UN has stated that forcible transfer or deportation from occupied territories violates international law.

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